System for and method of applying a sealant strip to sheet material

ABSTRACT

A sealant strip applying system (10) is for applying a sealant strip (12) to a top surface of a sheet material (16) adjacent to a plurality of straight edges (18, 20) thereof. The system (10) is configured to support the sheet material (16) and to produce the controlled repositioning thereof on an air flotation table (30) with each edge (18, 20) being selectively aligned with a front edge (34) of the table (30). The sealant strip (12) is successively applied to each edge (18, 20) by a sealant strip applicator (50) that is supported by the air flotation table (30) and mounted for selective movement along the front edge (34) thereof.

This application claims priority from Provisional Application number60/005,804, filed Oct. 23,1995.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a system for applying a sealant strip to asurface of a sheet material adjacent to a plurality of straight edgesthereof and, more specifically, to such a system which supports,positions and aligns a sheet of glass on an air flotation table as thesealant strip is successively applied to each edge by a sealant stripapplicator that is mounted on and supported by the air flotation table.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known in the manufacture of glass units for placement withinwindows and door frames to use single or multi-pane units that includeinsulating material at the peripheral edges thereof. One conventionalmethod of making a double-glazed insulated glass panel consists ofmanually applying an adhesive strip along the peripheral edges of aglass sheet and then positioning a second glass sheet thereupon to formthe panel.

One type of strip used in such a system is manufactured by TREMCOMANUFACTURING under the trademark "Swiggle Strip". This preferredsealant strip is an adhesive strip which is formed of an extrudedbutyl-based material of a thermoplastic compound which contains areinforcing aluminum spacer to withstand the forces appliedperpendicularly to the sheets of glass that are eventually joinedtogether with the sealant strip therebetween.

Typically, the swiggle strip is applied to the first sheet of glass by ahand held applicator device such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No.5,013,377. The device is adapted to move on a support table and togenerally remain in an upright position but the proper application ofthe sealant strip requires skill and attention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,331 discloses an air flotation assembly table thatallows a sheet of glass to be conveniently moved and aligned toward afront working area. However, the application of the strip along theedges of a sheet of glass still requires skill and attention for thestrip be properly positioned and aligned. If not done properly, thestrip might be positioned inwardly from the edge in some locations andwould be unacceptable if it appears uneven at the edge of the framingmaterial after assembly. There is particularly concern during theapplication of the strip at the corners to insure that the strip isapplied at a tight right angle. If not, the strip will be clearly seenafter assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,818 discloses apparatus for turning a sheet-likeworkpiece, e.g. a rectangular sheet of glass, and for applying a sealingstrip continuously along its edges. The apparatus includes an airflotation support bed covered by an air-permeable mat, a sealing stripapplicator in a carriage, suction cup assemblies mounted for movement onrespective mutually perpendicular slides for gripping the sheet at twoadjacent corners thereof. The movement of the assemblies is co-ordinatedsuch that, while gripping the sheet, one assembly is moved towards theinitial position of the other assembly and simultaneously the latter ismoved towards the corner diagonally opposite that at which the firstassembly was initially disposed.

While the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,818 attempts to automaticallyapply the sealing strip to the edges of a sheet of glass, the overallconfiguration is quite complicated and would be relatively expensive toprovide. Additionally, the overall configuration is such that onlyrectangular sheets of glass can be employed. Because of the obviouslimitations of this and other devices in the prior art, there remains aneed for any system that can be employed to conveniently and reliablyapply a sealant strip to a sheet of glass that includes any number ofstraight edges with corners therebetween. Such a system should be ableto work effectively around corners that need not be at right angles asis required with the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,818.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealant stripapplication system that assures that the strip will remain aligned withthe straight edges of a sheet of glass and that the strip is properlyand reliably bent at the corners of the sheet of glass which corners maybe at any angle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system of the typedescribed which can be conveniently and rapidly employed without theskill and attention which was heretofore needed for applying the stripswith the prior art hand-held applicators.

These and other objects of the invention are provided in a preferredembodiment thereof which includes a sealant strip application system forapplying a sealant strip to a surface of a sheet of glass adjacent to aplurality of straight edges of the sheet of glass, each adjacent pair ofwhich intersect at a corner. The plurality of edges include a first edgeand an adjacent second edge. The first edge has a first corner at aterminal end thereof and a second corner at the other terminal endthereof. The second edge has the second corner at a terminal end thereofadjacent the first edge and a third corner at the other terminal endthereof. The sealant strip application system includes a support tablehaving an upper surface and a straight front edge. The upper surface isfor supporting the sheet of glass at a lower surface thereof which isopposite the surface. The upper surface has an elongated openingtherethrough which extends at an angle with respect to the front edge ofthe support table. A vacuum cup device is mounted relative to thesupport table to extend through the elongated opening in alignment withthe upper surface and for movement along the elongated opening towardand away from the front edge. A gripping vacuum force is for beingselectively applied by the vacuum cup device to the lower surface of thesheet of glass for gripping the sheet of glass in a central regionthereof without allowing any relative movement between the vacuum cupdevice and the sheet of glass throughout the application of the sealantstrip to the surface of the sheet of glass. A sealant strip applicatoris mounted on the support table for movement along the front edge. Adevice is provided for feeding the sealant strip to the sealant stripapplicator. The sealant strip applicator has selective strip applyingcomponents for being activated to apply the sealant strip to the surfaceof the sheet of glass and for being deactivated to discontinue theapplication of the sealant strip to the surface of the sheet of glass. Avariable coupling element is between the sealant strip applicator andthe vacuum cup device. The variable coupling element includes selectivecoupling components for being activated to establish a fixed distance ofthe sealant strip applicator from the vacuum cup device and a fixeddirection of the sealant strip applicator from the vacuum cup device andfor being deactivated to allow a variable distance and a variabledirection of the sealant strip applicator from the vacuum cup device.The sealant strip applicator is for being initially positioned at thefirst corner of the sheet of glass when the first edge is parallel toand in alignment with the front edge of the support table. The selectivecoupling components are for being deactivated and the selective stripapplying components are for being activated when the sealant stripapplicator is positioned at the first corner. The sealant stripapplicator is for being moved relative to the front edge of the supporttable in a first direction from the first corner toward the secondcorner of the sheet of glass as the sealant strip is applied to thesurface adjacent to the first edge when the selective couplingcomponents are deactivated and the selective strip applying componentsare activated. The sealant strip applicator is for being positioned atthe second corner of the sheet of glass after the application of thesealant strip along the first edge of the sheet of glass. The selectivecoupling components are for being activated and the selective stripapplying components are for being deactivated when the sealant stripapplicator is positioned at the second corner. The sealant stripapplicator is for being moved in a second direction opposite the firstdirection relative to the front edge, after activation of the selectivecoupling components and deactivation of the selective strip applyingcomponents, to cause the vacuum cup device to rotate the sheet of glasson the upper surface of the support table about the central region untilthe second edge is in general alignment with the front edge of thesupport table as the vacuum cup device initially moves along theelongated opening away from the front edge and then moves along theelongated opening toward the front edge. The selective couplingcomponents are for being deactivated and the selective strip applyingcomponents are for being activated when the second edge is parallel toand in alignment with the front edge and the sealant strip applicator ispositioned at the second corner for being moved relative to the frontedge of the support table in the first direction toward the third cornerof the sheet of glass for the application of the sealant strip to thesurface of the sheet of glass adjacent to and along the second edge.

The preferred sealant strip application system can include the sealantstrip applicator having a bending pin extending toward the surface ofthe sheet of glass in a direction generally perpendicular thereto at aside of the sealant strip away from the front edge of the support table.The bending pin is for bending the sealant strip at the second corner ofthe sheet of glass as the sealant strip applicator is moved in thesecond direction.

The sealant strip application system may also include the sealant stripapplicator having a handle for moving the sealant strip applicator inthe first and second directions.

The preferred sealant strip application system can further include anormally open switch associated with the selective coupling componentsand the selective strip applying components. The normally open switch isfor being open to cause deactivation of the selective couplingcomponents and activation of the selective strip applying components andis for being closed to cause activation of the selective couplingcomponents and deactivation of the selective strip applying components.The sealant strip applicator can include selective pressure applyingcomponents for selectively applying a downward pressure to the sealantstrip to assist in the application of the sealant strip to the surfaceof the sheet of glass. The normally open switch is open to cause thedownward pressure and is for being closed to prevent the downwardpressure by the selective pressure applying components.

The preferred sealant strip application system may also include thesupport table having selective alignment retaining components forretaining the first edge of the sheet of glass parallel to and inalignment with the front edge when the sealant strip applicator is beingmoved in the first direction and for allowing the rotation of the sheetof glass when the sealant strip applicator is being moved in the seconddirection. The preferred selective alignment retaining componentsinclude a squaring gate disposed adjacent the front edge for makingcontact with the first edge of the sheet of glass at separated locationstherealong when the sealant strip applicator is moved in the firstdirection and for being disposed outwardly of and separated from thefront edge when the sealant strip applicator is moved in the seconddirection.

The sealant strip application system can include the sealant stripapplicator having a handle for moving the sealant strip applicator inthe first and the second directions with the normally open switch beinglocated on the sealant strip applicator adjacent to the handle.

The preferred sealant strip application system can further includevacuum cup biasing components for initial biasing the movement of thevacuum cup device and the central region of the sheet of glass in athird direction along the elongated opening away from the front edge andfor subsequently biasing the movement of the vacuum cup device and thecentral region of the sheet of glass in a fourth direction opposite thethird direction along the elongated opening toward the front edge. Withthe elongated opening extending perpendicular to the front edge, acontrol element for the vacuum cup biasing components is for beginningthe initial biasing of the movement in the third direction when theselective coupling components are activated, for discontinuing theinitial biasing and beginning the subsequent biasing of the movement inthe fourth direction when the sealant strip applicator is located alongthe front edge in perpendicular alignment with the vacuum cup deviceduring the movement of the sealant strip applicator in the seconddirection, and for discontinuing the subsequent biasing when theselective coupling components are deactivated. The control elementincludes a proximity switch disposed below the front edge of the supporttable to sense when the sealant strip applicator is located along thefront edge in the perpendicular alignment with the vacuum cup device.

The preferred sealant strip application system can include the selectivecoupling components having a vacuum cup fitting in a lower region of thesupport table opposite the upper surface and a connecting rod elementextending from the sealant strip applicator to the vacuum cup fitting inthe lower region of the support table. The vacuum cup fitting has arotary brake portion for selective rotation thereof relative to thevacuum cup device and a linear brake portion. The connecting rod elementhas an applicator end and a vacuum cup end. The applicator end ispivotally joined to the sealant strip applicator at a lower portionthereof below the upper surface and the front edge of the support table.The vacuum cup end is mounted for selective linear movement within thelinear brake portion of the vacuum cup fitting. The rotary brake portionis activated to prevent the selective rotation of the vacuum cup fittingrelative to the vacuum cup device and the linear brake portion isactivated to prevent the selective linear movement of the vacuum cup endof the connecting rod element within the linear brake portion during theactivation of the selective coupling components. The sealant stripapplication system can further include a normally open switch associatedwith the selective coupling components and the selective strip applyingcomponents. The normally open switch is open to cause deactivation ofthe rotary brake portion and the linear brake portion of the vacuum cupfitting and activation of the selective strip applying components and isclosed to cause activation of the rotary brake portion and the linearbrake portion of the vacuum cup fitting and deactivation of theselective strip applying components. The sealant strip applicator caninclude a handle for moving the sealant strip applicator in the firstand the second directions with the normally open switch being located onthe sealant strip applicator adjacent to the handle.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a sealant stripapplication system for applying a sealant strip to a surface of a sheetof glass adjacent to a plurality of straight edges of the sheet ofglass. Each adjacent pair of the plurality of edges intersects at acorner. The plurality of edges of the sheet of glass include a firstedge and an adjacent second edge. The first edge has a first corner at aterminal end thereof and a second corner at the other terminal endthereof. The second edge has the second corner at a terminal end thereofadjacent the first edge and a third corner at the other terminal endthereof. The sealant strip application system includes a support tablehaving an upper surface and a straight front edge. The upper surface isfor supporting the sheet of glass at a lower surface thereof which isopposite the surface. The upper surface has an elongated openingtherethrough which extends at an angle with respect to the front edge ofthe support table. A vacuum cup device is mounted relative to thesupport table to extend through the elongated opening in alignment withthe upper surface and for movement along the elongated opening towardand away from the front edge. A gripping vacuum force is for beingselectively applied by said vacuum cup device to the lower surface ofthe sheet of glass for gripping the sheet of glass in a central regionthereof without allowing any relative movement between the vacuum cupdevice and the sheet of glass throughout the application of the sealantstrip to the surface of the sheet of glass. A sealant strip applicatoris mounted on the support table for movement along the front edge. Adevice is provided for feeding the sealant strip to the sealant stripapplicator. The sealant strip applicator has selective strip applyingcomponents for being activated to apply the sealant strip to the surfaceof the sheet of glass and for being deactivated to discontinue theapplication of the sealant strip to the surface of the sheet of glass. Avariable coupling element is between the sealant strip applicator andthe vacuum cup device. The variable coupling element includes selectivecoupling components for being activated to establish a fixed distance ofthe sealant strip applicator from the vacuum cup device and a fixeddirection of the sealant strip applicator from the vacuum cup device andfor being deactivated to allow a variable distance and a variabledirection of the sealant strip applicator from the vacuum cup device.The sealant strip applicator is for being initially positioned at thefirst corner of the sheet of glass when the first edge is parallel toand in alignment with the front edge of the support table. The selectivecoupling components are for being deactivated and the selective stripapplying components are for being activated when the sealant stripapplicator is positioned at the first corner. The sealant stripapplicator is for being moved relative to the front edge of the supporttable in a first direction from the first corner toward the secondcorner of the sheet of glass as the sealant strip is applied to thesurface adjacent to the first edge when the selective couplingcomponents are deactivated and the selective strip applying componentsare activated. The sealant strip applicator is for being positioned atthe second corner of the sheet of glass after the application of thesealant strip along the first edge of the sheet of glass. The selectivecoupling components are for being activated and the selective stripapplying components are for being deactivated when the sealant stripapplicator is positioned at the second corner. The sealant stripapplicator is for being moved in a second direction opposite the firstdirection relative to the front edge, after activation of the selectivecoupling components and deactivation of the selective strip applyingcomponents, to cause the vacuum cup device to rotate the sheet of glasson the upper surface of the support table about the central region untilthe second edge is in general alignment with the front edge of thesupport table as the vacuum cup device initially moves along theelongated opening away from the front edge and then moves along theelongated opening toward the front edge. The selective couplingcomponents are for being deactivated and the selective strip applyingcomponents are for being activated when the second edge is parallel toand in alignment with the front edge and the sealant strip applicator ispositioned at the second corner for being moved relative to the frontedge of the support table in the first direction toward the third cornerof the sheet of glass for the application of the sealant strip to thesurface of the sheet of glass adjacent to and along the second edge. Thesealant strip applicator has a bending pin extending toward the surfaceof the sheet of glass in a direction generally perpendicular thereto ata side of the sealant strip away from the front edge of the supporttable. The bending pin is for bending the sealant strip at the secondcorner of the sheet of glass as the sealant strip applicator is moved inthe second direction. A normally open switch associated with theselective coupling components and the selective strip applyingcomponents is for being open to cause deactivation of the selectivecoupling components and activation of the selective strip applyingcomponents and for being closed to cause activation of the selectivecoupling components and deactivation of the selective strip applyingcomponents. Selective alignment retaining components are for retainingthe first edge of the sheet of glass parallel to and in alignment withthe front edge when the sealant strip applicator is being moved in thefirst direction and for allowing the rotation of the sheet of glass whenthe sealant strip applicator is being moved in the second direction.

The preferred sealant strip application system can include the selectivecoupling components having a vacuum cup fitting in a lower region of thesupport table opposite the upper surface and a connecting rod elementextending from the sealant strip applicator to the vacuum cup fitting inthe lower region of the support table. The vacuum cup fitting has arotary brake portion for selective rotation thereof relative to thevacuum cup device and a linear brake portion. The connecting rod elementhas an applicator end and a vacuum cup end. The applicator end ispivotally joined to the sealant strip applicator at a lower portionthereof below the upper surface and the front edge of the support table.The vacuum cup end is mounted for selective linear movement within thelinear brake portion of the vacuum cup fitting. The rotary brake portionis activated to prevent the selective rotation of the vacuum cup fittingrelative to the vacuum cup device and the linear brake portion isactivated to prevent the selective linear movement of the vacuum cup endof the connecting rod element within the linear brake portion during theactivation of the selective coupling components. The sealant stripapplication system can further include a normally open switch associatedwith the selective coupling components and the selective strip applyingcomponents. The normally open switch is open to cause deactivation ofthe rotary brake portion and the linear brake portion of the vacuum cupfitting and activation of the selective strip applying components and isclosed to cause activation of the rotary brake portion and the linearbrake portion of the vacuum cup fitting and deactivation of theselective strip applying components.

The preferred sealant strip application system can further includevacuum cup biasing components for initially biasing the movement of thevacuum cup device and the central region of the sheet of glass in athird direction along the elongated opening away from the front edge andfor subsequently biasing the movement of the vacuum cup device and thecentral region of the sheet of glass in a fourth direction opposite thethird direction along the elongated opening toward the front edge. Withthe elongated opening extending perpendicular to the front edge, acontrol element for the vacuum cup biasing components is for beginningthe initial biasing of the movement in the third direction when theselective coupling components are activated, for discontinuing theinitial biasing and beginning the subsequent biasing of the movement inthe fourth direction when the sealant strip applicator is located alongthe front edge in perpendicular alignment with the vacuum cup deviceduring the movement of the sealant strip applicator in the seconddirection, and for discontinuing the subsequent biasing when theselective coupling components are deactivated.

A preferred method of the invention is for applying a sealant strip to asurface of a sheet of glass adjacent to a plurality of straight edges ofthe sheet of glass. Each adjacent pair of the plurality of edgesintersects at a corner. The plurality of edges of the sheet of glassincludes a first edge and an adjacent second edge. The first edge has afirst corner at a terminal end thereof and a second corner at the otherterminal end thereof. The second edge has the second corner at aterminal end thereof adjacent the first edge and a third corner at theother terminal end thereof. The method includes the steps of:

supporting the sheet of glass at a lower surface thereof which isopposite the surface on an upper surface of a support table having astraight front edge;

gripping the lower surface of the sheet of glass in a central regionthereof to allow limited movement of the central region toward and awayfrom the front edge along a path which is at an angle with respect tothe front edge;

mounting a sealant strip applicator on the support table for movementalong the front edge;

selectively applying the sealant strip to the surface of the sheet ofglass with the sealant strip applicator;

selectively discontinuing the application of the sealant strip to thesurface of the sheet of glass by the sealant strip applicator;

selectively coupling the sealant strip applicator and the central regionof the lower side of the sheet of glass to establish a fixed distance ofthe sealant strip applicator from the central region and a fixeddirection of the sealant strip applicator from the central region;

selectively uncoupling the sealant strip applicator and the centralregion of the lower side of the sheet of glass to allow a variabledistance and a variable direction of the sealant strip applicator fromthe central region;

initially positioning the sealant strip applicator at the first cornerof the sheet of glass when the first edge is parallel to and inalignment with the front edge of the support table during the selectiveuncoupling;

initially moving the sealant strip applicator relative to the front edgeof the support table in a first direction from the first corner towardthe second corner of the sheet of glass during the selectively applyingthe sealant strip to the surface adjacent to the first edge;

subsequently positioning the sealant strip applicator at the secondcorner of the sheet of glass after the selectively applying the sealantstrip along the first edge of the sheet of glass;

subsequently moving the sealant strip applicator in a second directionopposite the first direction relative to the front edge, during theselectively coupling and the selectively discontinuing the applicationof the sealant strip, to cause rotating of the sheet of glass around thecentral region on the upper surface of the support table until thesecond edge is generally parallel to the front edge of the supporttable;

the subsequently moving the sealant strip applicator in the seconddirection initially causing the central region to move along the pathaway from the front edge and then to move along the path toward thefront edge;

bending the sealant strip at the second corner of the sheet of glassduring the subsequently moving the sealant strip applicator in thesecond direction; and

repeating the steps of selectively uncoupling and selectively applyingthe sealant strip to the surface of the sheet of glass adjacent to andalong the second edge when the sealant strip applicator is positioned atthe second corner for repeating the initially moving the sealant stripapplicator relative to the front edge of the support table in the firstdirection toward the third corner when the second edge is parallel toand in alignment with the front edge.

The preferred method of applying the sealant strip can further includethe step of retaining the first edge of the sheet of glass parallel toand in alignment with the front edge during the initially moving thesealant strip applicator in the first direction.

The preferred method of applying the sealant strip can also include thesteps of initial biasing the central region of the sheet of glass in athird direction along the path away from the front edge and subsequentlybiasing the central region of the sheet of glass in a fourth directionopposite the third direction along the path toward the front edge duringthe subsequently moving the sealant strip applicator in the seconddirection. The initially biasing of the central region in the thirddirection is perpendicular to the first direction and the seconddirection.

Additionally, in the preferred method of applying the sealant strip, thestep of gripping can include:

providing an elongated opening through the upper surface of the supporttable which elongated opening extends along the path at an angle withrespect to the front edge of the support table;

mounting a vacuum cup device relative to the support table to extendthrough the elongated opening in alignment with the upper surface andfor movement in the elongated opening along the path toward and awayfrom the front edge; and

the gripping of the lower surface of the sheet of glass in the centralregion being provided by the vacuum cup device without allowing anyrelative movement between the vacuum cup device and the central regionof the sheet of glass throughout the applying the sealant strip to thesurface of the sheet of glass and the discontinuing the application ofthe sealant strip to the surface of the sheet of glass. The step ofproviding the elongated opening can include extending the elongatedopening along the path which is perpendicular to the front edge of thesupport table.

Still further, in the preferred method of applying the sealant strip,the step of coupling can include:

providing a vacuum cup fitting in a lower region of the support tableopposite the upper surface and a connecting rod extending from thesealant strip applicator to the vacuum cup fitting in the lower regionof the support table, the vacuum cup fitting having a rotary brakeportion for selective rotation thereof relative to the vacuum cup deviceand a linear brake portion, and the connecting rod having an applicatorend and a vacuum cup end;

pivotally joining the applicator and to the sealant strip applicator ata lower portion thereof below the upper surface and the front edge ofthe support table;

mounting the vacuum end for selective linear movement within the linearbrake portion of the vacuum cup fitting; and

activating the rotary brake portion to prevent the selective rotation ofthe vacuum cup fitting relative to the vacuum cup device and activatingthe linear brake portion to prevent the selective linear movement of thevacuum cup end of the connecting rod within the linear brake portionduring the subsequently moving the sealant strip applicator in thesecond direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred support table which supports a sheetof glass for the application of a sealant strip thereon includingvarious features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the preferred applicator as seen along line 2--2 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the application area of the applicator ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of the application area as generally seen from theright in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view of the vacuum cup device of the present inventionincluding various features of the invention as seen along the line 5--5of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a simplified top view of the preferred system with thecomponents in a position for applying the strip to one edge of a sheetof glass.

FIG. 7 is a view like that of FIG. 6 after the strip has been applied tothe one edge.

FIG. 8 is a view like that of FIG. 7 as the sheet of glass is beingrotated prior to the application of the strip to the next edge of thesheet of glass.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the bending area of the applicator when itis in the position of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view like that of FIG. 8 wherein the applicator is in aposition to apply the strip to the next edge of the sheet of glass.

FIG. 11 is a view of the system like that of FIG. 6 for applying a stripto a triangular sheet of glass.

FIG. 12 is a view of the system like that of FIG. 6 for applying a stripto a trapezoidal sheet of glass.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the control system for the preferredsealant strip application system including various features of theinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As seen in FIG. 1, a preferred sealant strip application system 10 isfor applying a sealant strip 12 to a top surface 14 of a sheet of glass16 adjacent to a plurality of straight edges of the sheet of glass, eachadjacent pair of which intersect at a corner. The plurality of edgesinclude a first edge 18 and an adjacent second edge 20. The first edge18 has a first corner 22 at a terminal end thereof and a second corner24 at the other terminal end thereof. The second edge 20 has the secondcorner 24 at a terminal end thereof adjacent the first edge 18 and athird corner 26 at the other terminal end thereof.

The sealant strip application system 10 includes a support table 30having an upper surface 32 and a straight front edge 34. The preferredsupport table 30 is an air flotation type that has an air supply system31 including a plurality of air supply holes 36 throughout the uppersurface 32. The upper surface 32 is for supporting the sheet of glass 16at a lower surface 40 thereof which is opposite the surface 14. Theupper surface 32 has an elongated opening 42 therethrough which extendsat an angle with respect to the front edge 34 of the support table 30.While the preferred angle with respect to the front edge 34 is ninetydegrees, it should be noted that some features of the invention might beequally provided by the use of an elongated opening 42 that is at anangle that is not perpendicular to the front edge 34. In any case, avacuum cup device 44 is mounted relative to the support table 30 toextend through the elongated opening 42 in alignment with the uppersurface 32 and for movement along the elongated opening 42 toward andaway from the front edge 34 within a range R. A gripping vacuum force isfor being selectively applied by the vacuum cup device 44 to the lowersurface 40 of the sheet of glass 16 for gripping the sheet of glass 16in a central region 46 thereof without allowing any relative movementbetween the vacuum cup device 44 and the sheet of glass 16 throughoutthe application of the sealant strip 12 to the surface 14 of the sheetof glass 16.

A sealant strip applicator 50 is mounted on the support table 30 formovement along the front edge 34. A sealant strip supply system (notshown in the drawings but well known to those skilled in the art) isprovided for feeding the sealant strip 12 to the sealant stripapplicator 50. The sealant strip applicator 50 has selective stripapplying components 51 for being activated to apply the sealant strip 12to the surface of the sheet of glass 16 and for being deactivated todiscontinue the application of the sealant strip 12 to the surface ofthe sheet of glass 12. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the sealantstrip applicator 50 is mounted for movement along the front edge 34 ofthe table 30 as opposed support wheels 52 ride along a rail 54. Theapplicator 50 receives the strip 12 at a working region thereof which isaligned with the surface 14 of the sheet of glass 16 adjacent the firstedge 18 and is defined by a set of outer rollers 56, inner rollers 58and a pressure wheel 60. The location of and the distance between thesets of rollers 56, 58 can be adjusted in the applicator 50 according tothe size of the strip 12 to be used therein. The pressure wheel 60 isconfigured to apply a downward force to the strip 12 as it is beingapplied to insure that it properly adheres to the surface 14. Thecontrol of air to the air cylinder 62 for the pressure wheel 60, whichis only intended to apply the downward force when the strip is beingapplied by movement of the applicator 50 in a first direct D1 (FIG. 6)along the front edge 34, will be discussed hereinbelow.

The preferred configuration includes two rollers 56 in the outer set andtwo rollers 58 in the inner set. As seen in FIG. 4, the rollers 58 areshown to be disposed generally inwardly of the rollers 56. The inwardroller 58R, as seen to the right in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, functions as abending pin. The bending pin, in the form of the roller 58R, extendstoward the surface 14 of the sheet of glass 16 in a direction generallyperpendicular thereto at a side of the sealant strip 12 away from thefront edge 34 of the support table 30. As will be seen, the bending pin58R is for bending the sealant strip 12 at each subsequent corner of thesheet of glass 16. The bending occurs when the sealant strip applicator50 is moved in a second direction D2 (FIGS. 8 and 9), which is oppositethe first direction D1, as the sheet of glass 16 is being repositionedfor the application of the strip to each edge when it is parallel to andaligned with the front edge 34 of the table 30. As seen in FIG. 9, therelative positions of the rollers 56 and the rollers 58 along the frontedge 34 of the table 30 may be selectively adjusted to insure the properbending of the sealant strip 12 at the corners.

As thus described, if the applicator 50 is moved by use of a handle 55in a first direction D1 along the front edge 34, the applicator 50 wouldbe able to apply the strip 12 to the surface 14 adjacent to the firstedge 18 of the sheet of glass 16 from the first corner 22 to the secondcorner 24. This movement would be similar to that of U.S. Pat. No.5,246,331 discussed above. However, in this prior art device, the sheetof glass 16 would need to be moved, rotated and aligned manually tocause the second edge 20 to be parallel to and in alignment with thefront edge 34 for the strip to be applied thereto. With the applicator50 remaining relatively positioned at the second corner 24 throughoutand after the rotation, the applicator 50 could again be moved in thefirst direction D1 to apply the strip 12 to the second edge 20. As seenin FIG. 5, the vacuum cup element 44 is mounted for motion along theelongated opening 42. Specifically, the vacuum cup device 44 issupported on a carriage 70 having opposed wheels 72 to move along a rail74. The rail 74 is mounted in a lower region 76 of the support table 30opposite upper surface 32 to extend, in the preferred arrangement,perpendicular to the front edge 34. Consequently, the vacuum cup device44 is capable of movement in the elongated opening 42 toward and awayfrom the front edge 34 to generally facilitate the repositioning of thesheet of glass 16 on the upper surface 32 of the support table 30.

However, the preferred system 10 includes controlled means for rotatingand moving the sheet of glass 16 to greatly facilitate the applicationof the strip to each edge of the sheet of glass. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2and 5, a variable coupling element 80 is mounted between the sealantstrip applicator 50 and the vacuum cup device 44. The variable couplingelement 80 includes selective coupling components for being activated toestablish a fixed distance of the sealant strip applicator 50 from thevacuum cup device 44 and a fixed direction of the sealant stripapplicator 50 from the vacuum cup device 44 and for being deactivated toallow a variable distance and a variable direction of the sealant stripapplicator 50 from the vacuum cup device 44. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and5, the selective coupling components include a vacuum cup fitting 82 inthe lower region 76 of the support table 30 opposite the upper surface32 and a connecting rod element 84, including a pair of parallel rods toprovide rigidity thereto, which extends from the sealant stripapplicator 50 to the vacuum cup fitting 82 in the lower region 76 of thesupport table 30. The vacuum cup fitting 82 has a rotary brake portion86 for selective rotation thereof relative to the vacuum cup device 44and a linear brake portion 88. The connecting rod element 84 has anapplicator end 90 and a vacuum cup end 92. The applicator end 90 ispivotally joined to the sealant strip applicator 50 by a pivot pin 94 ata lower portion 96 of the applicator 50 below the upper surface 32 andthe front edge 34 of the support table 30. The vacuum cup end 92 of therod element 84 is mounted for selective linear movement within thelinear brake portion 88 of the vacuum cup fitting 82.

The vacuum cup fitting 82 includes an oil reservoir system (not shown)which is operably connected to both the rotary brake portion 86 and thelinear brake portion 88 and which is for being selectively pressurizedby operating air pressure to increase the pressure of the oil therein.The rotary brake portion 86 is activated by the introduction of air topressurize the oil in the chamber of the rotary brake portion 86 toapply braking pressure, at relative rotating surfaces thereof, toprevent the selective rotation of the vacuum cup fitting 82 relative tothe vacuum cup device 44. Similarly, the linear brake portion 88 isactivated by the selective introduction of air to pressurize the oil ina compression fitting to prevent the selective linear movement of thevacuum cup end 92 of the connecting rod element 84 within the linearbrake portion 88 during the activation of the selective couplingcomponents. As will be seen in a discussion of the air supply system ofFIG. 13, the valve 150 can be selectively positioned to increase the airpressure on the oil in the reservoir system to activate both the rotarybrake portion 86 and the linear brake portion 88 at the same time.

In the preferred system 10, it has been found that the pivot pin 94 ofthe variable coupling element 80 should be in direct alignment with thebending pin 58R of the applicator 50. However, for some strips and forsome sheets of glass (perhaps those having a rounded corner) there maybe a need to adjust the location of the pivot pin 94 with respect to theapplicator 50 and the location of the bending pin 58R around which thestrip 12 will be bent at the corners of the sheet of glass.Consequently, the applicator 50 also includes adjusting means 95 and 97,at right angles with respect to each other, to adjust the position ofthe pivot pin 94 with respect to the applicator 50 and the bending pin58R.

There are several other features which are incorporated into thepreferred sealant strip application system 10 to properly control theposition of the sheet of glass throughout the application of the stripto the sheet of glass. The sealant strip application system 10 furtherincludes a normally open switch 100 mounted on the handle 55 whichswitch 100 is associated with the selective coupling components 80 andthe selective strip applying components 51. The switch 100, when open orclosed, is capable of providing electrical control signals forcontrolling pneumatic valve positions which in turn direct air to othercomponents which will be discussed hereinbelow. The valves and thefunctions that they perform will be better understood during adescription of the schematic drawing of FIG. 13. In the mean time, itshould be understood that the normally open switch 100 is open to causedeactivation of the rotary brake 86 and the linear brake 88 andactivation of the selective strip applying components 51 including thecylinder 62 for the pressure wheel 60 and is closed to cause activationof the rotary brake 86 and the linear brake 88 and deactivation of theselective strip applying components 51.

It is appropriate to describe the overall operation of the system 10 inorder to fully understand how the strip 12 is to be applied to the sheetof glass 16. The description will primarily refer to the simplifiedviews of the preferred system 10 in FIGS. 6 through 12. As seen in FIG.6, the applicator 50 is for being initially positioned at the firstcorner 22 of the sheet of glass 16 when the first edge 18 is parallel toand in alignment with the front edge 34 of the support table 30.Although the application of the strip 12 could be begun on the firstedge 18, in the configuration of FIG. 6, the strip 12 has already beenapplied to the adjacent edge 17 up to the corner 22. With the switch 100open, the selective coupling components 80 are for being deactivated andthe selective strip applying components 51 are for being activated whenthe sealant strip applicator 50 is positioned at the first corner 22.The sealant strip applicator 50 is for being moved relative to the frontedge 34 of the support table 30 in the first direction D1 from the firstcorner 22 toward the second corner 24 of the sheet of glass 16 as thesealant strip 12 is applied to the surface 14 adjacent to the first edge18 when the selective coupling components 80 are deactivated and theselective strip applying components 51 are activated. In this condition,there is a variable length LV of the connecting rod element 84 betweenthe applicator 50 and the vacuum cup device 44 and there is a variableangle AV from the vacuum cup 44 to the applicator 50. The switch 100being open also causes the cylinder 62 to create a downward force on thepressure wheel 60 to apply the strip 12.

Additionally, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6 and generally in FIG. 1, theswitch 100 being open causes a plurality of selective alignmentretaining components 102 in the form of wheels to be move by cylinders104 toward the front edge 34. The support table 30 includes theselective alignment retaining components 102 for retaining the firstedge 18 of the sheet of glass 16 parallel to and in alignment with thefront edge 34 when the sealant strip applicator 50 is being moved in thefirst direction D1 and for allowing the rotation of the sheet of glass16 when the sealant strip applicator 50 is being moved in the seconddirection D2. The preferred selective alignment retaining components 102include a squaring gate having a plurality of wheels that can bemanually repositioned by cylinders 104 (FIG. 2) along a line parallelwith the front edge 34 depending on the dimensions of the sheet of glassand the eventual location of the corners thereof during the applicationof the strip 12. The selective alignment retaining components 102 aredisposed adjacent the front edge 34 for making contact with the firstedge 18 of the sheet of glass 16 at separated locations therealong whenthe sealant strip applicator 50 is moved in the first direction D1 andfor being disposed outwardly of and separated from the front edge 34when the sealant strip applicator 50 is being moved in the seconddirection D2 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As seen in FIG. 7, the sealant strip applicator 50 is positioned at thesecond corner 24 of the sheet of glass 16 after the application of thesealant strip 12 along the first edge 18 of the sheet of glass. For anaccurate positioning at the corner 24, the applicator 50 can be provideda laser or other high intensity light device adjustably mounted thereonto visually assist in the positioning. Specifically, the laser devicecan be directed to point toward and to light the second edge 20 of thesheet of glass 16. The laser device is preferably adjusted to cause thelight to be positioned on the edge 20 when the bending pin 58R and thepivot pin 94 are aligned on a bisecting line at the corner 24.Additionally, it should be noted that it would be possible, by thoseskilled in the art, to utilize some other type of physical detectormeans to automatically sense the location of the applicator 50 relativeto the edge 20 of the sheet of glass 16 and to provide a means forautomatically stopping the movement of the applicator when the desiredposition is obtained.

In any case, the selective coupling components 80 are for beingactivated and the selective strip applying components 51 are for beingdeactivated when the sealant strip applicator is positioned at thesecond corner 24 with the bending pin 58R and the pivot pin 94 alignedon the bisecting line of the corner 24 and each subsequent corner duringthe application process. To produce this condition, the switch 100 isclosed to cause the linear brake portion 88 and the rotary brake portion86 to be activated. The fixed relationship between the vacuum cup device44 and the applicator 50 is established to produce a fixed length LF ofthe connecting rod element 84 between the applicator 50 and the vacuumcup device 44 and a fixed angle AF from the vacuum cup 44 to theapplicator 50. The sealant strip applicator 50 is for being moved in asecond direction D2 opposite the first direction D1 relative to thefront edge 34, after activation of the selective coupling components 80and deactivation of the selective strip applying components 51, to causethe vacuum cup device 44 to rotate the sheet of glass 16 on the uppersurface 32 of the support table 30 about the central region 46 until thesecond edge 20 is in general alignment with the front edge 34 of thesupport table 30.

As seen by a comparison of FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, during the movement in thesecond direction D2 and with the fixed length LF and fixed angle AF, thevacuum cup device 44 initially moves in a third direction D3 along theelongated opening 42 away from the front edge 34 and then moves in afourth direction D4, opposite the third direction D3, along theelongated opening 42 toward the front edge 34. As seen in FIG. 10, theselective coupling components 80 are for being deactivated and theselective strip applying components 51 are for being activated when thesecond edge 20 is parallel to and in alignment with the front edge 34 bythe switch 100 being open. The sealant strip applicator 50 isrepositioned to the right at the second corner 24 for being moved againrelative to the front edge 34 of the support table 30 in the firstdirection D1 toward the third corner 26 of the sheet of glass 16 for theapplication of the sealant strip 12 to the surface 14 of the sheet ofglass 16 adjacent to and along the second edge 20. The opening of theswitch 100 again allows a variable length LV and a variable angle AV ofthe applicator 50 with respect to the vacuum cup device 44.

As seen in FIG. 9, during the movement of the applicator 50 in thesecond direction D2, the bending pin 58R bends the sealant strip 12 atthe second corner 24 of the sheet of glass 16. The bending begins assoon as the applicator 50 begins to move in the second direction D2 andcontinues until it is located to the right as seen in FIG. 10.

From the description of FIGS. 6 through 10 provided above, it should beclear that the sheet of glass 16 should be positioned with the centerregion 46 thereof over the vacuum cup device 44. The sealant stripapplicator 50 is positioned to the right in alignment with the firstcorner 22. The switch 100 is open and the handle 55 is used to move theapplicator 50 in the first direction D1 to apply the strip 12 to thefirst edge 18. When the applicator 50 is located at the second corner24, the switch 100 in closed to establish a fixed relationship betweenthe applicator 50 and the vacuum cup device 44. Additionally, theselective alignment retaining components 102 are retracted from thefront edge 34 of the table 30 and the air supply system 31 is activatedto allow the sheet of glass 16 to move about on the upper surface 32 ofthe support table 30. With the switch 100 being held in the closedposition, the applicator 50 is moved in the second direction D2. Thefixed relationship between the applicator 50 and the vacuum cup device44 causes the sheet of glass 16 to rotate until the second corner 24 ispositioned to the right and the second edge 20 is generally aligned withthe front edge 34. Throughout the movement in the second direction D2,the bending pin 58R insures that the strip 12 is tightly bent at thesecond corner 24 and in a proper position for the application of thestrip 12 to the second edge 20. With the switch 100 open, the selectivealignment retaining components 102 will be moved inwardly, the airsupply system 31 will be repositioned to prevent movement of the sheetof glass 16 and the vacuum cup device 44 will be uncoupled from theapplicator 50 to insure that the sheet of glass 16 is again in positionfor applying the strip 12 to the second edge 20 by the movement of theapplicator 50 in the first direction D1.

Although the operation of the system 10 though the opening and closingof the switch 100 tends to control the movement of the sheet of glass 16and the application of the strip 12 to each edge of the sheet of glass16, the repeated movements of the applicator 50 are manual by the use ofthe handle 55. The preferred sealant strip application system 10 doesnot require the skill or attention, as was discussed hereinabove for theprior art devices, that was heretofore needed to insure that the stripwas properly applied to the edges of the sheet of glass. However, withthe manual movement of the applicator 50 which produces repeatedrotation of the sheet of glass, there is some concern that the operatorwill become tired. Accordingly, the preferred sealant strip applicationsystem 10 is provided means for assisting the movement of the vacuum cupdevice 44 during the movement of the applicator 50 in the seconddirection D2. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the preferred sealant stripapplication system 10 includes vacuum cup biasing means 120 for initialbiasing the movement of the vacuum cup device 44 and the central region46 of the sheet of glass 16 in the third direction D3 (FIG. 7) along theelongated opening 42 away from the front edge 34 and for subsequentlybiasing the movement of the vacuum cup device 44 and the central region46 of the sheet of glass 46 in the fourth direction D4 along theelongated opening 42 toward the front edge 32. The vacuum cup biasingmeans 120 includes a rodless cylinder 122 that is mounted in the lowerregion 76 of the table 30 to extend perpendicular to the front edge 34.A fitting 124 on the carriage 70 is mounted for movement tending tofollow the movement of the rodless cylinder 122. The coupling betweenthe fitting 124 and the rodless cylinder 122 is not rigid but willnevertheless tend to bias the carriage 70 of the vacuum cup device 44 inresponse to the movement of the rodless cylinder 122.

The vacuum cup biasing means 120 will also be activated by the closingof the switch 100. When the switch 100 is open, there will be no controlair provided to the rodless cylinder 122 and the vacuum cup device 44will remain in a fixed position in the elongated opening 42. However,with the closing of the switch 100, control air to the rodless cylinder122 will begin the initial biasing of the movement of the vacuum cupdevice 44 in the third direction D3. To reverse the direction of thebiasing of the vacuum cup device 44 when it is positioned at theposition shown in FIG. 8, there is a need to discontinue the initialbiasing and to begin the subsequent biasing in the opposite direction ofthe rodless cylinder 122 for the movement in the fourth direction D4.This reversal of direction should occur when the sealant stripapplicator 50 is located, as generally shown in FIG. 8, along the frontedge 34 in perpendicular alignment with the vacuum cup device 44 duringthe movement of the sealant strip applicator 50 in the second directionD2. The direction of the supply air to the rodless cylinder 122 will bereversed by the used of a proximity switch 126 (FIG. 1) that is disposedbelow the front edge 34 of the support table 30 to sense when thesealant strip applicator 50 is located along the front edge 34 inperpendicular alignment with the vacuum cup device 44. When theapplicator 50 is positioned to the right for applying the strip 12 tothe next edge of the sheet of glass 16, the switch 100 will be open andthe air to the rodless cylinder 122 is discontinued to prevent anybiasing of the vacuum cup device 44.

As seen in FIG. 13, a schematic drawing of the pneumatic system andcontrols 140 of the preferred sealant strip application system 10includes an air supply 130 through a supply line 131 which is expectedto be at about 80 psi. A branch supply line 132 includes regulator 133set at about 30 psi. The pneumatic system and controls 140 can includevarious pressure regulators and flow control valves that are well knownin the control art to insure the desired operation of the variouscomponents. Each of the flow control valves includes one side connectedto an air supply line and a discharge side that is capable of venting toatmosphere. The valves 142, 144, 146, 148 and 150 are connected to the80 psi air supply line 131 while the valve 152 is connected to the 30psi branch supply line 132.

The valve 142 is a two position valve activated to provided air to theair flotation table 30 to assist in the movement of the sheet and toprevent any scratching or damage thereto and to hold it in place whenthe sealant strip 12 is being applied. Similarly, the vacuum cup 44 willbe raised by the activation of the valve 144 when a sheet is installedon the table 30 and activation of the valve 146 will produce thegripping force on the central region 46 of the sheet of glass throughoutthe application of the sealant strip 12 thereto.

Valves 148, 150 and 152 are all controlled by the opening and theclosing of the switch 100. When the switch 100 is open, the valve 148moves the alignment retaining components 102 toward the front edge 34.The valve 150 is positioned to apply a downward force to the cylinder 62pressure wheel 60 and to deactivate the air to the oil reservoir of thethe suction cup fitting 82. The line to the cylinder 62 includes aregulator 151 which is set at about 60 psi to insure its properoperation. At the same time the switch 100 is opened, the valve 152 ispositioned to deactivate the rodless cylinder 122. The valves 148, 150and 152 are respectively repositioned by the opening of the switch 100to cause the cylinders 104 to position the alignment retainingcomponents 102 away from the front edge 34; to activate the suction cupfitting 82 and to cause the cylinder 62 to raise the pressure wheel 60;and to activate the rodless cylinder 122. When the switch 100 is closed,the valve 150 will activate the suction cup fitting 82, as the supplyair increases the pressure of the oil therein, to establish the fixedrelationship between the vacuum cup device 44 and the applicator 50 toallow the controlled repositioning of the sheet of glass 16 on the uppersurface 32 of the support table 30 and will deactivate the pressurewheel 60 to prevent it from applying the strip 12. With the switch 100closed, the valve 148 would retract the alignment retaining components102 to allow the rotation of the sheet of glass 16. The valve 158 wouldbe activated to direct some air to the rodless cylinder 122 for biasingin one direction until activation by the switch 126 causes the directionof the air to be reversed for biasing in the other direction.

It should be clear that the preferred strip application system 10 can beconveniently and reliably employed to apply a sealant strip 12 tovarious sizes of rectangular sheets of glass. However, it may not be asobvious that the system 10 will work just as effectively and reliablyfor the application of the strips to other sheets of glass that includea plurality of straight edges but that have any number of differentshapes. For example, as seen in FIG. 11, a triangular sheet of glass 160can be installed on the support table 30 for the application of thestrip by the applicator 50 in the same manner as described above. Theprimary condition which assures that the system can be used for thetriangular sheet of glass 160 is the proper initial location of thevacuum cup device 44 at the central region 162 of the sheet of glass160. Similarly, as seen in FIG. 12, a trapezoidal sheet of glass 170 canbe installed on the table 30 with the central region 172 thereof on thevacuum cup device 44 to facilitate the bending of the strip at eachcorner and the application of the strip to each edge thereof in the samemanner as with a rectangular sheet of glass. The use of the switch 100will again establish a fixed relationship between the applicator 50 andthe vacuum cup device 44 at each corner of the sheets of glass 160 and170 as they are rotated to align the next edge of the glass with thefront edge 34 of the support table 30 for the application of the stripthereto. Because of the different angles at the corners of the sheets ofglass 160 and 170, the laser device could not be specifically pointed tolight the edges thereof but might be generally employed by the operatorto assist in the positioning of the applicator at the corners prior toclosing the switch 100.

It should be clear that those skilled in the art could provide anynumber of alterations to the preferred embodiment of the invention asdescribed hereinabove without departing from the scope of the inventionas claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealant strip application system for applying asealant strip to a surface of a sheet of glass adjacent to a pluralityof straight edges of the sheet of glass, each adjacent pair of theplurality of edges intersecting at a corner, the plurality of edges ofthe sheet of glass including a first edge and an adjacent second edge,the first edge having a first corner at a terminal end thereof and asecond corner at the other terminal end thereof, and the second edgehaving the second corner at a terminal end thereof adjacent the firstedge and a third corner at the other terminal end thereof, said sealantstrip application system comprising:a support table having an uppersurface and a straight front edge; said upper surface for supporting thesheet of glass at a lower surface thereof which is opposite the surface;said upper surface having an elongated opening therethrough which saidelongated opening extends at an angle with respect to said front edge ofsaid support table; a vacuum cup device mounted relative to said supporttable to extend through said elongated opening in alignment with saidupper surface and for movement along said elongated opening toward andaway from said front edge; gripping vacuum means for being selectivelyapplied by said vacuum cup device to the lower surface of the sheet ofglass for gripping the sheet of glass in a central region thereofwithout allowing any relative movement between said vacuum cup deviceand the sheet of glass throughout the application of the sealant stripto the surface of the sheet of glass; a sealant strip applicator mountedon said support table for movement along said front edge; means forfeeding the sealant strip to said sealant strip applicator; said sealantstrip applicator having selective strip applying means for beingactivated to apply the sealant strip to the surface of the sheet ofglass and for being deactivated to discontinue the application of thesealant strip to the surface of the sheet of glass; a variable couplingelement between said sealant strip applicator and said vacuum cupdevice; said variable coupling element including selective couplingmeans for being activated to establish a fixed distance of said sealantstrip applicator from said vacuum cup device and a fixed direction ofsaid sealant strip applicator from said vacuum cup device and for beingdeactivated to allow a variable distance and a variable direction ofsaid sealant strip applicator from said vacuum cup device; said sealantstrip applicator for being initially positioned at the first corner ofthe sheet of glass when the first edge is parallel to and in alignmentwith said front edge of said support table; said selective couplingmeans for being deactivated and said selective strip applying means forbeing activated when said sealant strip applicator is positioned at thefirst corner; said sealant strip applicator for being moved relative tosaid front edge of said support table in a first direction from thefirst corner toward the second corner of the sheet of glass as thesealant strip is applied to the surface adjacent to the first edge whensaid selective coupling means is deactivated and said selective stripapplying means is activated; said sealant strip applicator for beingpositioned at the second corner of the sheet of glass after theapplication of the sealant strip along the first edge of the sheet ofglass; said selective coupling means for being activated and saidselective strip applying means for being deactivated when said sealantstrip applicator is positioned at the second corner; said sealant stripapplicator for being moved in a second direction opposite said firstdirection relative to said front edge, after activation of saidselective coupling means and deactivation of said selective stripapplying means, to cause said vacuum cup device to rotate the sheet ofglass on said upper surface of said support table about the centralregion until the second edge is in general alignment with said frontedge of said support table as said vacuum cup device initially movesalong said elongated opening away from said front edge and then movesalong said elongated opening toward said front edge; and said selectivecoupling means for being deactivated and said selective strip applyingmeans for being activated when the second edge is parallel to and inalignment with said front edge and said sealant strip applicator ispositioned at the second corner for being moved relative to said frontedge of said support table in said first direction toward the thirdcorner of the sheet of glass for the application of the sealant strip tothe surface of the sheet of glass adjacent to and along the second edge.2. The sealant strip application system according to claim 1, whereinsaid sealant strip applicator includes bending pin means extendingtoward the surface of the sheet of glass in a direction generallyperpendicular thereto at a side of the sealant strip away from saidfront edge of said support table and said bending pin means is forbending the sealant strip at the second corner of the sheet of glass asthe sealant strip applicator is moved in said second direction.
 3. Thesealant strip application system according to claim 1, wherein saidsealant strip applicator includes handle means for moving said sealantstrip applicator in said first and said second directions.
 4. Thesealant strip application system according to claim 1, further includinga normally open switch associated with said selective coupling means andsaid selective strip applying means, said normally open switch beingopen to cause deactivation of said selective coupling means andactivation of said selective strip applying means and said normally openswitch for being closed to cause activation of said selective couplingmeans and deactivation of said selective strip applying means.
 5. Thesealant strip application system according to claim 4, wherein saidsealant strip applicator includes selective pressure means forselectively applying a downward pressure to the sealant strip to assistin the application of the sealant strip to the surface of the sheet ofglass and said normally open switch is open to causes said downwardpressure and is for being closed to prevent said downward pressure bysaid selective pressure means.
 6. The sealant strip application systemaccording to claim 4, wherein said support table includes selectivealignment retaining means for retaining the first edge of the sheet ofglass parallel to and in alignment with said front edge when saidsealant strip applicator is being moved in said first direction and forallowing the rotation of the sheet of glass when said sealant stripapplicator is being moved in said second direction.
 7. The sealant stripapplication system according to claim 6, wherein said selectivealignment retaining means includes a squaring gate disposed adjacentsaid front edge for making contact with the first edge of the sheet ofglass at separated locations therealong when said sealant stripapplicator is moved in said first direction and for being disposedoutwardly of and separated from said front edge when said sealant stripapplicator is moved in said second direction.
 8. The sealant stripapplication system according to claim 4, wherein said sealant stripapplicator includes handle means for moving said sealant stripapplicator in said first and said second directions and said normallyopen switch is located on said sealant strip applicator adjacent to saidhandle means.
 9. The sealant strip application system according to claim1, further including vacuum cup biasing means for initial biasing saidmovement of said vacuum cup device and the central region of the sheetof glass in a third direction along said elongated opening away fromsaid front edge and for subsequently biasing said movement of saidvacuum cup device and the central region of the sheet of glass in afourth direction opposite said third direction along said elongatedopening toward said front edge.
 10. The sealant strip application systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said elongated opening extendsperpendicular to said front edge, said third and said fourth directionsare perpendicular to said first and said second directions, and furtherincluding control means for said vacuum cup biasing means for beginningsaid initial biasing of said movement in said third direction when saidselective coupling means is activated, for discontinuing said initialbiasing and beginning said subsequent biasing of said movement in saidfourth direction when said sealant strip applicator is located alongsaid front edge in perpendicular alignment with said vacuum cup deviceduring said movement of said sealant strip applicator in said seconddirection, and for discontinuing said subsequent biasing when saidselective coupling means is deactivated.
 11. The sealant stripapplication system according to claim 10, wherein said control meansincludes a proximity switch disposed below said front edge of saidsupport table to sense when said sealant strip applicator is locatedalong said front edge in said perpendicular alignment with said vacuumcup device.
 12. The sealant strip application system according to claim1, wherein said selective coupling means includes a vacuum cup fittingin a lower region of said support table opposite said upper surface andconnecting rod means extending from said sealant strip applicator tosaid vacuum cup fitting in said lower region of said support table, saidvacuum cup fitting having a rotary brake portion for selective rotationthereof relative to said vacuum cup device and a linear brake portion,said connecting rod means having an applicator end and a vacuum cup end,said applicator end being pivotally joined to said sealant stripapplicator at a lower portion thereof below said upper surface and saidfront edge of said support table, said vacuum cup end being mounted forselective linear movement within said linear brake portion of saidvacuum cup fitting, said rotary brake portion being activated to preventsaid selective rotation of said vacuum cup fitting relative to saidvacuum cup device and said linear brake portion being activated toprevent said selective linear movement of said vacuum cup end of saidconnecting rod means within said linear brake portion during saidactivation of said selective coupling means.
 13. The sealant stripapplication system according to claim 12, further including a normallyopen switch associated with said selective coupling means and saidselective strip applying means, said normally open switch being open tocause deactivation of said rotary brake portion and said linear brakeportion of said vacuum cup fitting and activation of said selectivestrip applying means and said normally open switch for being closed tocause activation of said rotary brake portion and said linear brakeportion of said vacuum cup fitting and deactivation of said selectivestrip applying means.
 14. The sealant strip application system accordingto claim 13, wherein said sealant strip applicator includes handle meansfor moving said sealant strip applicator in said first and said seconddirections and said normally open switch is located on said sealantstrip applicator adjacent to said handle means.
 15. A sealant stripapplication system for applying a sealant strip to a surface of a sheetof glass adjacent to a plurality of straight edges of the sheet ofglass, each adjacent pair of the plurality of edges intersecting at acorner, the plurality of edges of the sheet of glass including a firstedge and an adjacent second edge, the first edge having a first cornerat a terminal end thereof and a second corner at the other terminal endthereof, and the second edge having the second corner at a terminal endthereof adjacent the first edge and a third corner at the other terminalend thereof, said sealant strip application system comprising:a supporttable having an upper surface and a straight front edge; said uppersurface for supporting the sheet of glass at a lower surface thereofwhich is opposite the surface; said upper surface having an elongatedopening therethrough which said elongated opening extends at an anglewith respect to said front edge of said support table; a vacuum cupdevice mounted relative to said support table to extend through saidelongated opening in alignment with said upper surface and for movementalong said elongated opening toward and away from said front edge;gripping vacuum means for being selectively applied by said vacuum cupdevice to the lower surface of the sheet of glass for gripping the sheetof glass in a central region thereof without allowing any relativemovement between said vacuum cup device and the sheet of glassthroughout the application of the sealant strip to the surface of thesheet of glass; a sealant strip applicator mounted on said support tablefor movement along said front edge; means for feeding the sealant stripto said sealant strip applicator; said sealant strip applicator havingselective strip applying means for being activated to apply the sealantstrip to the surface of the sheet of glass and for being deactivated todiscontinue the application of the sealant strip to the surface of thesheet of glass; a variable coupling element between said sealant stripapplicator and said vacuum cup device; said variable coupling elementincluding selective coupling means for being activated to establish afixed distance of said sealant strip applicator from said vacuum cupdevice and a fixed direction of said sealant strip applicator from saidvacuum cup device and for being deactivated to allow a variable distanceand a variable direction of said sealant strip applicator from saidvacuum cup device; said sealant strip applicator for being initiallypositioned at the first corner of the sheet of glass when the first edgeis parallel to and in alignment with said front edge of said supporttable; said selective coupling means for being deactivated and saidselective strip applying means for being activated when said sealantstrip applicator is positioned at the first corner; said sealant stripapplicator for being moved relative to said front edge of said supporttable in a first direction from the first corner toward the secondcorner of the sheet of glass as the sealant strip is applied to thesurface adjacent to the first edge when said selective coupling means isdeactivated and said selective strip applying means is activated; saidsealant strip applicator for being positioned at the second corner ofthe sheet of glass after the application of the sealant strip along thefirst edge of the sheet of glass; said selective coupling means forbeing activated and said selective strip applying means for beingdeactivated when said sealant strip applicator is positioned at thesecond corner; said sealant strip applicator for being moved in a seconddirection opposite said first direction relative to said front edge,after activation of said selective coupling means and deactivation ofsaid selective strip applying means, to cause said vacuum cup device torotate the sheet of glass on said upper surface of said support tableabout the central region until the second edge is in general alignmentwith said front edge of said support table as said vacuum cup deviceinitially moves along said elongated opening away from said front edgeand then moves along said elongated opening toward said front edge; saidselective coupling means for being deactivated and said selective stripapplying means for being activated when said second edge is parallel toand in alignment with said front edge and said sealant strip applicatoris positioned at the second corner for being moved relative to saidfront edge of said support table in said first direction toward thethird corner of the sheet of glass for the application of the sealantstrip to the surface of the sheet of glass adjacent to and along thesecond edge; said sealant strip applicator including bending pin meansextending toward the surface of the sheet of glass in a directiongenerally perpendicular thereto at a side of the sealant strip away fromsaid front edge of said support table; said bending pin means forbending the sealant strip at the second corner of the sheet of glass asthe sealant strip applicator is moved in said second direction; anormally open switch associated with said selective coupling means andsaid selective strip applying means for being open to cause deactivationof said selective coupling means and activation of said selective stripapplying means and for being closed to cause activation of saidselective coupling means and deactivation of said selective stripapplying means; and selective alignment retaining means for retainingthe first edge of the sheet of glass parallel to and in alignment withsaid front edge when said sealant strip applicator is being moved insaid first direction and for allowing the rotation of the sheet of glasswhen said sealant strip applicator is being moved in said seconddirection.
 16. The sealant strip application system according to claim15, wherein said selective coupling means includes a vacuum cup fittingin a lower region of said support table opposite said upper surface andconnecting rod means extending from said sealant strip applicator tosaid vacuum cup fitting in said lower region of said support table, saidvacuum cup fitting having a rotary brake portion for selective rotationthereof relative to said vacuum cup device and a linear brake portion,said connecting rod means having an applicator end and a vacuum cup end,said applicator end being pivotally joined to said sealant stripapplicator at a lower portion thereof below said upper surface and saidfront edge of said support table, said vacuum cup end being mounted forselective linear movement within said linear brake portion of saidvacuum cup fitting, said rotary brake portion being activated to preventsaid selective rotation of said vacuum cup fitting relative to saidvacuum cup device and said linear brake portion being activated toprevent said selective linear movement of said vacuum cup end of saidconnecting rod means within said linear brake portion during saidactivation of said selective coupling means.
 17. The sealant stripapplication system according to claim 16, wherein said normally openswitch being open to cause deactivation of said rotary brake portion andsaid linear brake portion of said vacuum cup fitting and said normallyopen switch being closed to cause activation of said rotary brakeportion and said linear brake portion of said vacuum cup fitting anddeactivation of said selective strip applying means.
 18. The sealantstrip application system according to claim 15, further including vacuumcup biasing means for initially biasing said movement of said vacuum cupdevice and the central region of the sheet of glass in a third directionalong said elongated opening away from said front edge and forsubsequently biasing said movement of said vacuum cup device and thecentral region of the sheet of glass in a fourth direction opposite saidthird direction along said elongated opening toward said front edge. 19.The sealant strip application system according to claim 18, wherein saidelongated opening extends perpendicular to said front edge, said thirdand said fourth directions are perpendicular to said first and saidsecond directions, and further including control means for said vacuumcup biasing means for beginning said initial biasing of said movement insaid third direction when said selective coupling means is activated,for discontinuing said initial biasing and beginning said subsequentbiasing of said movement in said fourth direction when said sealantstrip applicator is located along said front edge in perpendicularalignment with said vacuum cup device during said movement of saidsealant strip applicator in said second direction, and for discontinuingsaid subsequent biasing when said selective coupling means isdeactivated.
 20. A method of applying a sealant strip to a surface of asheet of glass adjacent to a plurality of straight edges of the sheet ofglass, each adjacent pair of the plurality of edges intersecting at acorner, the plurality of edges of the sheet of glass including a firstedge and an adjacent second edge, the first edge having a first cornerat a terminal end thereof and a second corner at the other terminal endthereof, and the second edge having the second corner at a terminal endthereof adjacent the first edge and a third corner at the other terminalend thereof, said method comprising the steps of:supporting the sheet ofglass at a lower surface thereof which is opposite the surface on anupper surface of a support table having a straight front edge; grippingthe lower surface of the sheet of glass in a central region thereof toallow limited movement of the central region toward and away from saidfront edge along a path which is at an angle with respect to said frontedge; mounting a sealant strip applicator on said support table formovement along said front edge; selectively applying the sealant stripto the surface of the sheet of glass with said sealant strip applicator;selectively discontinuing the application of the sealant strip to thesurface of the sheet of glass by said sealant strip applicator;selectively coupling said sealant strip applicator and the centralregion of the lower side of the sheet of glass to establish a fixeddistance of said sealant strip applicator from the central region and afixed direction of said sealant strip applicator from the centralregion; selectively uncoupling said sealant strip applicator and thecentral region of the lower side of the sheet of glass to allow avariable distance and a variable direction of said sealant stripapplicator from the central region; initially positioning said sealantstrip applicator at the first corner of the sheet of glass when thefirst edge is parallel to and in alignment with said front edge of saidsupport table during said selective uncoupling; initially moving saidsealant strip applicator relative to said front edge of said supporttable in a first direction from the first corner toward the secondcorner of the sheet of glass during said selectively applying thesealant strip to the surface adjacent to the first edge; subsequentlypositioning said sealant strip applicator at the second corner of thesheet of glass after said selectively applying the sealant strip alongthe first edge of the sheet of glass; subsequently moving said sealantstrip applicator in a second direction opposite said first directionrelative to said front edge, during said selectively coupling and saidselectively discontinuing the application of the sealant strip, to causerotating of the sheet of glass around the central region on said uppersurface of said support table until the second edge is generallyparallel to said front edge of said support table; said subsequentlymoving said sealant strip applicator in said second direction initiallycausing the central region to move along said path away from said frontedge and then to move along said path toward said front edge; bendingthe sealant strip at the second corner of the sheet of glass during saidsubsequently moving said sealant strip applicator in said seconddirection; and repeating the steps of said selectively uncoupling andsaid selectively applying said sealant strip to the surface of the sheetof glass adjacent to and along the second edge when said sealant stripapplicator is positioned at the second corner for repeating saidinitially moving said sealant strip applicator relative to said frontedge of said support table in said first direction toward the thirdcorner when the second edge is parallel to and in alignment with saidfront edge.
 21. The method of applying the sealant strip as set forth inclaim 20, further including the step of retaining the first edge of thesheet of glass parallel to and in alignment with said front edge duringsaid initially moving said sealant strip applicator in said firstdirection.
 22. The method of applying the sealant strip as set forth inclaim 20, further including the steps of initially biasing the centralregion of the sheet of glass in a third direction along said path awayfrom said front edge and subsequently biasing the central region of thesheet of glass in a fourth direction opposite said third direction alongsaid path toward said front edge during said subsequently moving saidsealant strip applicator in said second direction.
 23. The method ofapplying the sealant strip as set forth in claim 22, wherein saidinitially biasing the central region in said third direction isperpendicular to said first and said second directions.
 24. The methodof applying the sealant strip as set forth in claim 20, wherein saidstep of gripping includes:providing an elongated opening through saidupper surface of said support table which said elongated opening extendsalong said path at said angle with respect to said front edge of saidsupport table; mounting a vacuum cup device relative to said supporttable to extend through said elongated opening in alignment with saidupper surface and for movement in said elongated opening along said pathtoward and away from said front edge; and said gripping of the lowersurface of the sheet of glass in the central region being provided bysaid vacuum cup device without allowing any relative movement betweensaid vacuum cup device and the central region of the sheet of glassthroughout said applying the sealant strip to the surface of the sheetof glass and said discontinuing said application of the sealant strip tothe surface of the sheet of glass.
 25. The method of applying thesealant strip as set forth in claim 24, wherein said step of providingsaid elongated opening includes extending said elongated opening alongsaid path which is perpendicular to said front edge of said supporttable.
 26. The method of applying the sealant strip as set forth inclaim 24, wherein said step of coupling includes:providing a vacuum cupfitting in a lower region of said support table opposite said uppersurface and a connecting rod extending from said sealant stripapplicator to said vacuum cup fitting in said lower region of saidsupport table, said vacuum cup fitting having a rotary brake portion forselective rotation thereof relative to said vacuum cup device and alinear brake portion, and said connecting rod having an applicator endand a vacuum cup end; pivotally joining said applicator end to saidsealant strip applicator at a lower portion thereof below said uppersurface and said front edge of said support table; mounting said vacuumend for selective linear movement within said linear brake portion ofsaid vacuum cup fitting; and activating said rotary brake portion toprevent said selective rotation of said vacuum cup fitting relative tosaid vacuum cup device and activating said linear brake portion toprevent said selective linear movement of said vacuum cup end of saidconnecting rod within said linear brake portion during said subsequentlymoving said sealant strip applicator in said second direction.